Former Chester resident Steven Woolfe MEP is ‘stable and conscious’ after being taken to hospital following what has been described as an altercation with a colleague at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The shocking incident happened this morning (Thursday, October 6) at a meeting of UKIP MEPs just a day after Mr Woolfe announced he was seeking election as leader of the UK Independence Party for a second time.
UKIP sources said ‘punches were exchanged’ during a row at the meeting and Mr Woolfe banged his head.
He was taken to hospital two hours later after collapsing, sources said.
Mr Woolfe’s condition was initially described as ‘serious’ with reports of him having a bleed on the brain but it later transpired he was not as badly injured as at first thought.
Tests revealed no bleeding on the brain but the North West Euro MP did suffer two epileptic-like fits.
Mr Woolfe, who should have been celebrating his 49th birthday today, said in a statement from his hospital bed: “The CT scan has shown that there is no blood clot in the brain. At the moment I am feeling brighter, happier, and smiling as ever. As a precaution, I am being kept in overnight awaiting secondary tests to make sure everything in fine.
“I would like everyone to know that the parliamentary staff, the UKIP MEPs with me and hospital staff have been brilliant. Their care has been exceptional.
“I am sitting up, and said to be looking well. The only consequence at the moment is a bit of numbness on the left hand side of my face.“
Until recently Mr Woolfe had lived with his wife Fiona and young daughter in Victoria Road, near Northgate Arena , but neighbours have confirmed the couple moved to Winchester within the last few weeks.
David Mullock, next door neighbour but one, said: “I was absolutely shocked when I had the news on this morning. It’s beyond belief. He’s such a mild mannered chap and we have had a few laughs together about the political situation in the country.”
The retired farmer, who voted Brexit, said he was not an official UKIP supporter but sympathetic to their cause. Asked if he would like to see Steven as UKIP leader, he replied: “Of course I do. I would like to see him as that. He’s a bright bloke and he knows how to handle the media.”
Mr Mullock, who has visited the MEP’s former Chester home, said Mr Woolfe had even ‘mentioned the infighting going on’ in UKIP. And he said the MEP was ‘a bit upset’ when he was barred from standing for the leadership last time because he missed the nominations deadline due to computer problems.
Mr Woolfe’s second opportunity arose when Diane James stood down as leader after just 18 days in the role.
The neighbour said he had last seen Mr Woolfe, who is one of three UKIP MEPs representing the North West, about a fortnight ago but the family had now moved to Winchester.
“It’s simple. His wife wants to go back to work in London. Her mother lives down there and can look after their child while she’s at work.”
Another neighbour, Clive Hope, also understood the family had moved to Winchester.
He said: “I know him. He’s a decent fellow. I used to bump into him round the back at the garages.”
Mr Hope said he had spoken to Mr Woolfe about the EU referendum and about his work as an MEP.
He passed on his best wishes to Mr Woolfe for a full recovery and to his wife Fiona whom he sometimes saw out walking with their child and family dog.
Chester’s renowned hot dog man Geoff Mesney knows Mr Woolfe as a customer.
On hearing the news, he said: “Oh my God. I am so sorry to hear that. He is such a nice guy. I was only talking about him today. He used to come and have a chat every now and then.”
Luke Thompson, chief of staff at Steven Woolfe’s Chester office in Northgate Street, said: “I haven’t spoken to Steven but I’ve spoken to his wife. She’s upset.”
Mr Thompson, who presumed Steven’s wife Fiona would be flying out to Strasbourg to be with him, had heard Mr Woolfe was making a good recovery.
Curiously, neither he nor Mr Woolfe’s other spokesman Jago Pearson were aware the Euro MP had moved down south with both insisting he was still living in Chester.
Acting UKIP leader Nigel Farage has launched an inquiry into this morning’s incident.
